Golden Plate Mountain

Golden Plate Mountain

Golden Plate Mountain

Located in Tieshan Village, 8 kilometers northeast of Jinjiang Town, covering an area of 8 square kilometers, its highest peak, Huajian Ridge, stands at an elevation of 311.1 meters. The mountain features rugged cliffs, steep slopes, cascading waterfalls, and murmuring streams. Legend has it that there were golden plates and stools here, hence the name Golden Plate Mountain. As we walk along the 2,000-meter orchard avenue to reach the foot of the mountain, we see a pair of hill mounds resembling lanterns, hanging high on both sides of the mountain path. In between now lies a reservoir with crystal-clear water. Winding through the narrow valley and following the clear stream, we climb up the stone steps and can hear the sound of the waterfall splashing from afar. Halfway up the mountain, there is a waterfall that plunges dozens of meters down. Because its shape resembles a woman’s legs and splashes water year-round, it is also called “Fairy Scattering Flowers.” Moreover, as the rocky area where the “flowers scatter” is white and colored like butterflies, it is also known as Butterfly Valley. Below Butterfly Valley is a deep and mysterious mountain stream. Legend says that if you light ninety-nine candles upon entering the cave, you still won’t reach its end. It is said that within this mountain cave lie golden plates, golden stools, and golden cups. At the foot of Huajian Ridge, there used to be Golden Plate Temple, which was quite large but has since been demolished and rebuilt into a school—the temple no longer exists, though its site remains. The mountain also features attractions such as the Golden Cup, Ma Wei Spring Sacred Well, and Dragon Claw Rock, each associated with a beautiful legend. The tomb of Ying Bu, King of Jiujiang during the Han Dynasty, is buried at the foot of this picturesque mountain, as is that of Gui Tian Guan, an official who rose to the rank of Minister of Personnel during the Ming Dynasty. Tang Weixue wrote a poem about it: “Stone steps wind around a lone peak, the dragon ridge coils through nine bends. In life I’ve climbed towering heights, today I see even grander sights. The meditation mat lies quiet in the dust, autumn winds chill the green trees. With effort, we share sweet parting words, and raise our cups in joyful toast.”

Source: People's Government of Yingtan City